Foster care youth face a unique set of challenges when it comes to higher education. Despite the fact that 84% of foster youth want to go to college, only 3% graduate from college compared with 59% for the overall national graduation rate. This is due in part to multiple school changes and lack of access or knowledge about financial aid options available specifically for former foster youth. In addition, many states offer tuition waivers and other forms of assistance such as Education and Training Vouchers (ETV) up to $5,000 per year which can help bridge this gap between aspiration and reality.
However, there are still significant disparities between those who age out of foster care versus their peers not in the system when it comes to post-secondary educational attainment rates. It is important that we continue researching these issues so we can better understand how best support our nation’s most vulnerable population on their path towards success after high school graduation.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the immense educational disparities between former foster youth and the general population. It highlights the need for increased support and resources for foster youth to ensure they have the same opportunities to pursue higher education as their peers.
About 46% of foster care youth set the goal of attending college.
This statistic is a powerful reminder of the potential of foster care youth. It shows that despite the many challenges they face, a significant portion of them are determined to pursue higher education and make something of themselves. It is a testament to their resilience and ambition, and serves as an inspiration to those who are still in the foster care system.
Foster Care College Statistics Overview
Approximately 20% of foster youth who graduate high school attend post-secondary education or training.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the educational disparities between foster youth and their peers. It highlights the need for increased support and resources to ensure that foster youth have the same opportunities to pursue post-secondary education or training as their peers.
84% of foster youth want to go to college, but only 20% attend.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the immense gap between the aspirations of foster youth and the reality of their college attendance. It highlights the need for more resources and support to help foster youth bridge this gap and realize their dreams of attending college.
A study in Texas found that 75% of foster care youth enrolled in the Texas public postsecondary education system within one year of graduation.
This statistic is a testament to the success of the Texas public postsecondary education system in providing foster care youth with the opportunity to pursue higher education. It highlights the importance of providing these students with the resources and support they need to succeed in college and beyond. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of investing in foster care youth and their futures.
Eligible foster youth can access a tuition waiver in 28 states for higher education.
This statistic is a beacon of hope for foster youth, as it demonstrates that there are opportunities available to them in 28 states to pursue higher education without the burden of tuition costs. It is a reminder that, despite the challenges they may face, foster youth can still strive for a brighter future.
Only about 60% of foster youth graduate from high school or earn a GED, compared to 91% of the general population.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the educational disparities between foster youth and the general population. It highlights the need for increased support and resources for foster youth to ensure they have the same opportunities to succeed in their educational pursuits as their peers. It also serves as a call to action for those in the foster care system to provide the necessary support and guidance to help foster youth reach their educational goals.
Foster care alumni have a 40% higher likelihood of enrolling in a community college compared to other students.
This statistic is a testament to the resilience of foster care alumni, demonstrating that despite the many challenges they face, they are still able to pursue higher education and succeed. It is a reminder that foster care alumni have the potential to achieve great things, and that with the right support, they can reach their educational goals.
Approximately 8.1% of foster care alumni were enrolled in a four-year college or university in Missouri.
This statistic is a powerful indicator of the success of foster care alumni in Missouri. It shows that despite the challenges they have faced, these individuals have been able to pursue higher education and make a positive impact on their communities. It is a testament to the resilience of foster care alumni and a reminder of the importance of providing them with the resources and support they need to succeed.
A Midwest study found that 16% of foster care alumni attended four-year colleges or universities.
This statistic is a powerful indicator of the potential of foster care alumni to succeed in higher education. It demonstrates that, despite the many challenges they face, foster care alumni can still achieve their educational goals and pursue a college degree. This statistic is an important reminder that foster care alumni should be given the same opportunities as other students to pursue higher education and that they should be supported in their efforts.
Foster youth aged out of the foster care system have a 24.1% rate of enrollment in post-secondary education.
This statistic is a powerful indicator of the success of foster youth in transitioning to post-secondary education. It speaks to the resilience of these young people, who have often faced significant challenges in their lives, and shows that they are capable of achieving success in higher education. It also highlights the importance of providing support and resources to foster youth to ensure they have the best chance of succeeding in college.
In 2016, only about 1% of 2016-2017 scholarship applications submitted through the National Foster Parent Association (NFPA) were from youth who aged out of foster care.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the lack of support for youth who have aged out of foster care. It highlights the need for more resources and assistance for these individuals, who often face unique challenges in their pursuit of higher education. It also serves as a call to action for those in the foster care system to ensure that these young people have the support they need to succeed in college.
Among foster care alumni, 27% of youth experienced homelessness within one year of high school completion.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the challenges that foster care alumni face when transitioning into adulthood. It highlights the need for more resources and support for these individuals as they strive to achieve their educational goals and secure stable housing. It also serves as a call to action for those in the foster care system to ensure that these young adults have the necessary tools to succeed in college and beyond.
Former foster youth are 10% more likely to drop out of college within six years than their peers who were not in foster care.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the unique challenges faced by former foster youth in their pursuit of higher education. It highlights the need for additional resources and support to ensure that these students have the same opportunities to succeed as their peers who were not in foster care.
Around 70% of the 23,000 young people who age out of foster care in the United States each year aspire to attend college.
This statistic is a powerful reminder of the potential of young people who have aged out of foster care. It speaks to the ambition and resilience of these individuals, who despite facing numerous challenges, are determined to pursue higher education. It also highlights the importance of providing support and resources to these young people, so that they can realize their dreams of attending college.
In Washington state, approximately 72% of youth in foster care expected to enroll in college after high school, but only 62% actually did.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the gap between expectations and reality for youth in foster care. It highlights the need for more support and resources to help these students bridge the divide and reach their college goals.
Conclusion
The statistics presented in this blog post demonstrate the stark reality of college enrollment and graduation rates among former foster youth. Despite a strong desire to attend college, only 3% of these young people graduate from higher education institutions compared to 59% nationally. Furthermore, many face additional challenges such as multiple school changes or homelessness that can impede their progress towards achieving educational goals. It is clear that more must be done to support foster care alumni on their path towards success in higher education and beyond.
References
0. – https://www.hfg.org
1. – https://www.educationvoters.org
2. – https://www.educationpost.org
3. – https://www.childtrends.org
4. – https://www.dss.mo.gov
5. – https://www.plymouth.edu
6. – https://www.acf.hhs.gov
7. – https://www.qz.com
8. – https://www.insidehighered.com
9. – https://www.npr.org
10. – https://www.childrensrights.org
11. – https://www.nfpaonline.org
12. – https://www.fosterclub.com
